College football previews for Apprentice, VMI, Liberty, Richmond, JMU, ECU, Norfolk State

August 24, 2013

APPRENTICE

THE VITALS

Last season | 2-8

Last playoff bid | N/A

THE SCHEDULE

Sept. 7 | at Muhlenberg | 1 p.m.

Sept. 14 | at Gallaudet | 1

Sept. 21 | Greensboro | 1

Sept. 28 | at Alfred State | 1

Oct. 5 | Coppin St. Club | 1

Oct. 19 | at Southern Virginia | 1

Oct. 26 | Edward Waters | 1

Nov. 2 | Southern Virginia | 1

Nov. 9 | at Webber International | 1

Nov. 16 | Ave Maria | 1

THE STORYLINES

Close games | Despite only winning two games last season, the Builders were very close in three other contests, losing by a combined total of 14 points. Had a couple of plays gone the other way, the team might have been able to come out on top and improved on their 2-8 record. A 13-12 loss to Webber International in the final game of 2012 should make for an intense rematch on Nov. 9.

Slow starts | For the Builders to find success in 2013, they will have to find a way to score points early in games. Opponents outscored the Builders 188-84 in the first half last season.

Youth on defense | The Builders' defense returns 16 underclassmen who played in seven or more games last season. With another year under their belts, the defense should be more productive in stopping the pass than they were last year, when it gave up 217.4 yards per game and 19 touchdowns.

THE STANDOUTS

Jodey McNeil | Sr. | 5-10 | 175 | RB

In a season where the Builders lost several running backs due to injury, McNeil is the leading returning rusher for the Builders after gaining 449 yards on 95 carries and adding three touchdowns.

Brock Bullock | Sr. | 6-1 | 220 | LB

Bullock led the team in tackles, with 74, including nine for loss.

Tequan Mayfield | Jr. | 5-9 |160 | DB

Mayfield was fifth on the team with 45 tackles and added five pass break-ups and four interceptions, returning one for a touchdown.

THE COACH

Paul Hoffmann

Entering year two of his second stint at the helm for the Builders', after coaching from 1990-1997, Hoffman (33-47-1) looks to improve on the team's disappointing two-win season in 2012.

Returning experience | The Pirates return 16 starters (eight on defense, eight on offense) to an eight-win team, which gives them one of the most experienced teams in the conference.

Keeping the momentum | After starting the 2012 season 3-3, ECU won five of their last six regular season contests to earn a bowl bid and a share of the Conference USA East Division title. The Pirates will look to get off to a good start against future C-USA member ODU.

New defensive coordinator | Former South Florida assistant Rick Smith takes over an ECU defense that gave up 31.6 points per game last season. Smith will look to improve on a group that was ranked eighth in Conference USA in total defense.

THE STANDOUTS

Vintavious Cooper | Sr. | 5-9 | 200 | RB

A dual-threat out of the backfield, Cooper recorded 1,278 all-purpose yards and eight scores as a junior.

Justin Hardy | Jr. | 6-0 | 186 | WR

After setting a freshman school record with 64 receptions for 658 yards, Hardy returned in 2012 with 88 receptions for 1,105 yards and 11 scores.

Derrell Johnson | Sr. | 6-2 | 264 |LB

Led the Pirates in sacks (7), tackles for loss (11), and fumble recoveries (2) on his way to a second-team all-Conference USA selection.

THE COACH

Ruffin McNeill

McNeill is in fourth year at ECU and his overall record is 19-19. The ECU alum led the Pirates to eight wins in 2012 and was rewarded with a three-year extension to keep him with the team through 2017.

JAMES MADISON

THE VITALS

Last season | 7-4, 5-3 Colonial Athletic Association

Last playoff bid | 2011 (Lost to North Dakota State 26-14)

THE SCHEDULE

Aug. 31 | Central Connecticut State | 6 p.m.

Sept. 7 | at Akron | 6

Sept. 14 | Saint Francis (Pa.) | 6

Sept. 21 | Charlotte | 6

Sept. 28 | at Delaware | 7

Oct. 5 | Albany |1:30

Oct. 12 | Richmond | 3:30

Oct. 26 | at William and Mary | 3:30

Nov. 2 | Villanova | 2:30

Nov. 9 | at New Hampshire | 12:30

Nov. 16 | Stony Brook | 3:30

Nov. 23 | at Towson | 3:30

THE STORYLINES

Replacing Justin Thorpe | Last year's starting QB for the Dukes threw for 1,529 yards and ran for 681 more, scoring 21 total touchdowns. Sophomore Michael Birdsong has some experience, but underwent an emergency appendectomy in early August and may not return by opening day.

Can the Dukes return to glory? | Once a premier team in the CAA, JMU has not finished higher than sixth in the conference since 2008, and is projected to finish fifth in 2013.